This year started out like most- we enjoyed a great Christmas, thanks to all the wonderful people who support New Life Children’s Home in Lima, Peru. Little did I know what awesome changes God had in store for me this year. About a month after my birthday in April, I found out that a family from the United States wanted me to become part of their family. I spent the next few weeks looking at the pictures they sent and wondering what they would be like. Finally, in May, I met my family. Our first meeting was kind of strange. The older two cried a lot, the older girl immediately wanted to fix my hair and the boys just wanted to play ball and wrestle. For the first few days, we spent the days together but I stayed at the orphanage and they went back to their apartment. After four days of visits, I got to go with my family to stay. They had rented a small apartment in Miraflores, the more tourist part of Lima. We spent a lot of time walking around the city seeing the sites and eating churros. The government social worker did visit us a few times to make sure my new family was a good match for me. I made sure to throw a fit and put on my worst behavior during those visits just so she could see how my new mommy handles stress. It seemed like we were in that apartment for a long time, but it was only 3 weeks. My dad and brothers went back to the US first and I went home with my mom and sister a week later. At that point, they didn’t know Spanish and I didn’t speak English. My Papi did try to speak Spanish but didn’t do so well. When Papi and my brothers left Lima to come home, he told me he was going home to eat the family dog, Petey. I was very upset until the translator explained that Papi was going home to feed the dog. I’m still learning English, but I think they gave up on speaking Spanish. After a long plane trip we landed in Miami and I was officially a US citizen (whatever that means).
Since we’ve been home, it has been a wild time. I had instant friends and people who wanted to meet me. I LOVE meeting people and if I can dance for them, even better. My grandparents (all 3 of them) came to visit me. It is so much fun having grandparents. I also got to meet Aunt Jen and Uncle Randy from California and 3 of my cousins; Jessica, Ryan and Jacob. Jessica is my age and we had a blast even though she couldn’t understand me. ( I guess she doesn’t know Spanish either.)
I had never been to the lake before and we took the “bote” out many times during the summer. I loved the water, but Mom kept making me wear my “chompa” so I would be safe. I even tried the innertube with Becca but got very scared when Papi made Becca fly out of the “circleo”. I also loved screaming “Rapido, Becca!” as I watched her at swim meets. I can’t wait until I can swim like that. I absolutely LOVE the water.
This fall I have been learning a lot from my mom. She teaches Luke and me school at home. Luke seems to have gotten more used to me and we have a fun time together, especially if we can be outside. We spent a lot of afternoons at volleyball games and football games where of course I cheered for my sister and brother. My dad even coached Drake’s football team , but Dad has decided not to pursue a coaching career.
Dad is also in school this year and is able to be at home a lot more. He talks about reading a lot of books, but I haven’t seen him do it very much. I have seen him writing a lot of papers at the computer but he always seems to be in pain when doing so.
Just recently I learned about a new holiday and we traveled to Houston to celebrate, by eating a very large chicken and taking long naps. I heard them talking about how thankful they are to God for all the blessings they have, including me and my brothers and sister. We got to stay at Abuelo’s (Grandpa’s) Casa and meet Aunt Susan and Uncle Scott and my cousins, Max and Erik. Erik is 4 also and we had so much fun. He seemed to get tired of me wearing his Superman costume though. We went to the zoo, a science museum and a boardwalk to ride rides and watch the boats. The train ride was my favorite! I wasn’t so fond of the 11 hour car ride to get there, but Mom said I did great.
It seems like now, everywhere I look I see Navidad decorations and I am getting very excited. Mom says we even get to put up a tree in our house. I hear them talking about another car trip to Missouri to see Grandma and Grandpa to celebrate Christmas. They seem very excited to have me with them now and I see Mom get teary eyed a lot as she shares the story of how God brought me to them. I love my new family mucho and look forward to what is ahead!
It sounds like this summer we will move to a new house and live somewhere new. Where that is, no one knows, but Mom and Dad seem excited about the endless possibilities.
I am very excited about my first Christmas with my family. We all want to wish you a Merry Christmas!
Love,
Alexandra Trosper (for Layne, Debbi. Becca, Drake and Luke)
